14 Killed in Additional Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats, Says Hegseth
Fourteen people were reported dead after a series of strikes targeted vessels suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, a spokesperson identified as Hegseth said on Tuesday. The incidents occurred in the early hours of Friday in international waters off the southern Caribbean, where authorities had been monitoring a convoy of small boats that appeared to be engaged in drug smuggling activities.
According to the statement, the operation involved a coordinated effort between aerial surveillance platforms and surface patrol units. The assets detected the suspect boats moving in a formation and, after confirming the presence of contraband, launched precision strikes aimed at disabling the vessels. Officials noted that the strikes were intended to prevent the cargo from reaching shore, but the resulting explosions caused significant casualties among the crew members aboard the boats.
Hegseth emphasized that the action was part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt transnational drug trafficking routes that have intensified in recent years. "These operations are essential to curbing the flow of illicit substances into our communities and protecting public health," the spokesperson said, adding that the agency remains committed to working with regional partners to dismantle smuggling networks.
Law enforcement and security analysts have highlighted a broader trend of increasingly sophisticated smuggling tactics, including the use of fast, low‑profile vessels and encrypted communications. The recent strikes follow a series of similar interdictions that have taken place across the Caribbean basin, reflecting heightened vigilance by maritime authorities in response to rising seizure volumes reported by customs agencies.
Authorities are now conducting a review of the incident to assess compliance with international law and to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities. While the operation succeeded in preventing a large shipment of narcotics from reaching its destination, officials stress that continued vigilance and collaborative efforts with neighboring nations will be necessary to sustain pressure on drug trafficking organizations moving forward.
